Two advocates for the retention of Regina's neighbourhood schools have officially declared they will run for school board. 

Cathedral-area resident and community activist Carla Beck announced she is seeking election as Trustee for Subdivision 5 in the Regina Public School Board election to be held October 28, 2009. Cindy Anderson, who headed a campaign to keep Robert Usher Collegiate open, has announced that she will run for a seat on Regina Public School Board, for Division 4.

Beck is married with three children, two of whom attend the French Immersion program at Ecole Connaught Community School. She is currently employed as a medical social worker in the Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region.

As a spokesperson for the grassroots organization RealRenewal, Beck has been a vocal critic of the Regina School Board’s ten-year plan, which proposes the closure of 12 elementary schools and two high schools. She has also championed the concept of walking school buses as a means of improving student health, reducing pollution and building stronger communities. 

“One vision of renewal has been articulated by the current 10-year plan. I support a different vision,” says Beck, “one that values small, neighbourhood schools and reduced class sizes, decreases our reliance on busing and fossil fuels, values heritage architecture, and encourages local democracy and community involvement in schools.”

Beck has extensive experience working with children and families as both a volunteer and as a human services worker. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Bachelor of Social Work, both from the University of Regina.

John Conway, who currently is the Subdivision 5 Trustee, recently announced that he would not be seeking a seventh term on the school board.

Meanwhile, Cindy Anderson has announced that she will run for a seat on Regina Public School Board, for Division 4. She is a medical/surgical assistant, specializing in vascular surgery, and is presently employed in Otolaryngology.

Cindy has been an active parent of Robert Usher Collegiate, where she was involved as the Community Council Chairperson, 2008; the Parents Association, 2006-2008; Music Parents Association, Treasurer; and Founder and Chairperson of the Usher Wrestling Association.  She has also volunteered as a coach at the Northeast Community Association, and she had been involved with McDermid Community School when her children were there.

Recently, she became a spokesperson for the Committee for Community Renewal during the attempt to prevent the closure of north Regina’s Robert Usher Collegiate, opened in Uplands in 1979, and closed in 2008.  She says she was opposed to the abandonment of the high school because she could see that it would affect the community spirit and the quality of life of the students and their families. She says she is a passionate advocate for students, and has continued to monitor the well being of students who were forced to transfer to new schools.

As part of the Transition Advisory Committee with the Regina Public School Board with the Regina Public School Board, and sitting on the Winston Knoll School Community Council, Anderson has seen firsthand the struggles faced by some students.

“I believes that smaller community schools, within walking distance, are better for students, the community, and the city,” Anderson said in a media release.  “A good school community is one which respects difference, and will nurture all children.”

She said her vision of an excellent school board is “one which would use good common sense, and actively advocate for using our tax dollars and our school buildings in a wise and sustainable way, because schools should be a sound foundation of support for strong communities.”

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